Christmas in New Orleans

Welcome to Christmas New Orleans Style! Join with us as we celebrate the spirit of our city aglow with twinkling lights, festive iron-laced balconies, and garland decked streetcars. Converse with Historical Characters as they stroll the streets of the Vieux Carre and share their love of New Orleans; learn the secrets of our award winning cuisine at Cooking Demos; visit our historic homes and museums decorated in festive holiday colors; and find treasured holiday gifts as you stroll our quaint streets and shop with our local merchants.

Papa Noel hotel rates are available and make it easier to spend more time at Christmas New Orleans Style. Restaurants continue the French tradition of “Reveillon” dinners. The icon of our city, 200 year old St. Louis Cathedral, will host a variety of weekly concerts, and additional Special Events for all ages will bring family and friends together to fall in love with New Orleans all over again! 

Christmas New Orleans Style Special Events

Enjoy candlelight caroling in Jackson Square, Cathedral concerts, riverboat caroling cruises, theatrical performances, tours of decorated residences and antebellum homes, and all sorts of multicultural celebrations.

The Canal streetcar line takes you to City Park, where Celebration in the Oaks brings two million whimsical lights and figures to the park's ancient oak groves. Highlights of the celebration include a magnificent poinsettia display in the Botanical Garden's conservatory, miniature train tours and nightly entertainment.

Reveillon Dinners

During the mid-1800's, New Orleans' Creole families celebrated the "Reveillon" (French for "awakening") twice during the holidays. The first Reveillon came after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, when families returned from St. Louis Cathedral to break a daylong fast with an elaborate meal. New Year's Eve brought another Reveillon, usually shared among several families. This more festive meal featured eggnog, fancy pastries, meringues, sugar sculptures, and crystallized fruits. Today's Reveillon is celebrated nightly during the Christmas season in restaurants throughout the city. Menus combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains. In fact, three of our Reveillon restaurants -- Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, and Tujague's -- are more than 100 years old! So revel in nostalgia. Join us for the Reveillon -- the authentic taste of Christmas New Orleans Style.

Visit Christmas New Orleans Style for more information.

Holiday Tours of New Orleans -- Tour the beautiful Christmas in the Oaks or view the spectacular bonfires that are lit along the Mississippi River during Christmas Eve.